Spurs notebook: Much-needed Neal cleared to play

His sore left Achilles holding up well after a light workout Tuesday, Spurs guard Gary Neal proclaimed himself good to go tonight against Milwaukee.

That’s if nothing happens to him between the time he left the Spurs’ practice gym and tipoff tonight.

Given Neal’s star-crossed medical sheet — during the past two seasons, he has suffered injury at the hands of his medicine cabinet door and the zipper on his luggage — safety is no slam dunk.

Those stairs in Neal’s house, for instance, could be worrisome.

“But they’re childproof,” Neal said. “So we’re all right.”

Neal’s availability is crucial tonight for the Spurs, who are without small forwards Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson and could be without swingman Danny Green, who is questionable with a sore left hamstring.

A third-year pro, Neal has started six of the past seven games at shooting guard, with Green sliding to small forward.

Neal, 28, attributes the corresponding uptick in playing time to the soreness he has been experiencing is his lower left leg.

“It’s something that’s been around for about a week now. Just soreness,” said Neal, who is averaging 11.5 points but shooting 40.3 percent as a starter. “It’s kind of to be expected when your minutes bump up the way they have. It’s nothing serious.”

NBA still mum on Halloween photo: There was still no word from the NBA on Tuesday on possible disciplinary measures against Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for their appearance in a controversial Halloween photo.

The picture, snapped at a private party just before the start of the season, shows the two Spurs All-Stars in costume, holding toy guns to the head of a man dressed as veteran NBA referee Joey Crawford.

The NBA has been aware of the photo at least since Saturday, when it was leaked to the popular Internet site Deadspin.com. A league spokesman said Tuesday he did not know if the league was still considering action.

Good things in 3s: The Spurs’ 7-of-29 finish from 3-point range in Saturday’s win over Memphis might not be much to look at.

Considering the Spurs started 0 of 11 from long distance before breaking through in the second half, that 24.1 percent looks downright sizzling.

Many players blamed the slow start from beyond the arc on dead legs carrying over from the Spurs’ six-game road trip. They hope a 7-of-18 second half means their shooters are back in a groove.

“It’s just sticking with it,” Neal said. “As long as you take good shots, the percentages will even out in our favor.”

Traditionally one of the NBA’s top 3-point teams, the Spurs have been middle-of-the-pack so far this season, shooting 36.1 percent, good for a tie for 13th.